Bears 'taking a breath,' mulling more signings
Bears 'taking a breath,' mulling more signings - chicagotribune.com
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Bears 'taking a breath,' mulling more signings
Brandon Marshall has been getting most of the headlines, but the Chicago Bears have been focused on more than just the controversial wide receiver.
Marshall has been one of seven players the team has signed since the start of the league year Tuesday, and more free-agent acquisitions could be coming. In a conference call with reporters, Bears general manager Phil Emery said the team was “taking a breath and reevaluating,” but still is considering re-signing some of their own free agents as well as free agents from other teams.
"Don’t be surprised if we add a few more players here in the next few days, and don’t be surprised if we don’t,” he said. “After we take that breath we may decide it’s best to focus on the draft to meet our needs.”
The Bears still have holes at defensive end, safety and cornerback. Coach Lovie Smith said there still is time to fill them.
The Bears flew in running back Michael Bush, cornerback Kelvin Hayden and guard Anthony Herrera for visits Wednesday.
It does not sound as if the team is intent on finding a new starter for the offensive line, however. Smith indicated he was excited about Gabe Carimi and Chris Williams returning from injuries.
“I like the look of our offensive line with the guys with have signed up right now,” he said.
Asked about adding a lineman, Emery said the Bears always are searching for depth. He said they could look at other free-agent linemen, and the team will look “very hard” at offensive linemen in the draft.
One position the Bears are set at is quarterback after the signings of Jason Campbell and Josh McCown. Emery pointed out that between the two, the team has 103 starts among its backups.
“It’s difficult to see anybody in the league topping that,” he said.
Emery also said he was drawn to Campbell because of his size and arm strength.
“Arm strength is very important because of our weather and the teams we play,” Emery said. “That to me was a prerequisite moving forward.”
The team likely will be off the tight end market after the signing of Kellen Davis. Smith indicated he envisions a bigger role for Davis.
“I think Kellen can do anything you ask the good tight ends to do, from being an in line blocker to being a part of the passing game,” he said. “Talking to Kellen earlier today, he let me know he is definitely capable of catching more balls.”
The Bears believe they are a better team now than they were Monday.
“I’m really excited about the progress we’ve made in the last few days in adding productive, big, dynamic playmaking players to our football team,” Emery said.
